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Page 4 Ozone Classification For Greater Baton Rouge Area Changes From Serious To Severe Staff of DEQ Environmental Planning Division, l to r, Sandra Hilton, Vivian Aucoin, Teri Lanoue, Elizabeth McDearman, back, Ron Rebouche, Linda Brown, Jennifer Walton, Maurice Oubre, not pictured Bryan Johnston, James Magee. Louisiana has made great progress reducing ozone in the last 25 years. In 1978, there were 20 ozone non-attainment areas in the state. Presently there is only one. This area, often referred to as the Baton Rouge non-attainment area, includes Ascension, East and West Baton Rouge, Iberville and Livingston parishes. The remaining 59 parishes are in attainment with the ozone standard. There is a range of classifications for non-attainment areas. These are marginal, moderate, serious, severe and extreme. The Baton Rouge non-attainment area was classified as serious. However, because the area failed to meet the November 15, 1999 attainment deadline established in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Planning Division submitted a revision to the air quality State Implementation Plan (SIP) in December 2001. This plan revision was based on the Ozone Transport Guidance Policy set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This policy afforded the area an extension of its deadline for attainment to November 15, 2005. A series of court rulings in cases challenging the EPA transport policy in other areas in the country led the federal agency to withdraw its approval of the Baton Rouge attainment date extension. Therefore, because the area did not reach attainment by the established deadline, and not because air quality worsened, the five-parish Baton Rouge non-attainment area was “bumped-up” from a serious classification to severe. This “bump-up” requires citizens living, working and operating businesses in the five affected parishes to make some adjustments. These adjustments include: The area is required to use reformulated gasoline (RFG) which brings with The 2003 ozone season will be of the utmost importance to this area. Because the five-parish ozone non-attainment area has been reclassified from serious to severe, a collaborative effort to control ozone formation will be critical. Ozone season runs from May 1st to September 30th. Business and industry and even private citizens will need to operate in a manner such that emissions are diminished during the ozone season. But how? There are many programs in place to proactively help reduce the ozone emissions that only require awareness and cooperation from all of Louisiana’s citizens. One of these programs is the Ozone Action Day Program. Through this program that has been run by members of the DEQ Environmental Planning Division for several years, industry and business invite their employees and family members to do their part in preventing ozone. Ozone season is that time of year when ground level ozone, the main ingredient in smog, becomes a problem. Industry, and the public as well, can work together to make a difference in the man-made contributions to ozone. Even small changes to daily routines can help. The environmental outreach staff of DEQ has developed a number of tools to help educate the public and to cooperate with the efforts of industry. The Ozone Action Program outlines the kind of things that individuals can do on those hot summer days when the air is stagnant and ozone formation is likely. Following are the voluntary steps you can take: • Maintain your vehicle to minimize pollutant emission. • Limit daytime driving, combine errands and bring your lunch to work. • Refuel your car in the cooler evening hours. Don’t top off your tank. • Ride public transportation or carpool to work. Do you know what this means to you? it higher gasoline costs. Enforceable transportation control measures are required to offset the growth of vehicle miles traveled in the five-parish area. This includes measures such as employer-based management plans; trip reduction ordinances; provisions of all forms of high occupancy, shared ride services; and parking management. The definition of major source is revised from 50 tons per year to 25, and certain small businesses will have to submit permit applications and be subject to enforcement, monitoring and reporting. This could include larger bakeries, some restaurants, fabrication facilities, and small specialty industrial facilities. Offset requirements for modifications or new construction of major sources will increase. If the area fails to reach attainment by November 15, 2005, industries that are major stationary sources will be assessed fees of up to $5,000.00 per ton of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs in the environment contribute to ozone formation. In addition, the area will be tagged with the stigma of having a severe air quality problem when, in accordance to the parameters established for the different classifications, the air quality in Baton Rouge falls under marginal. Some of the requirements will start 60 days after the EPA publishes the “bumpup” notice in the Federal Register. Others will go into effect within a year. Reducing Ozone Improves Air Quality Would You Like to Write a Success Story? Ozone non-attainment parishes 1978 2002 • Don’t mow your lawn or use gas-powered lawn equipment until after 6pm. A gas-powered lawnmower produces more pollution than 70 new cars. • Drive emission-wise. Avoid prolonged idling and jackrabbit starts. • Walk or ride your bicycle for short trips. • Barbecue with an electric starter, not fluid. • Postpone oil based solvent and paint use. • Make sure your gas cap seals. • Conserve energy in your home. • Spread the word! Talk to your friends, coworkers and neighbors about the Ozone Action Day Program. By following these steps throughout the ozone season, you will help write the Greater Baton Rouge area success story. The Ozone Action Day Program stresses the cooperation of individuals with larger entities such as business and industry. When the Evaluation Division of DEQ forecasts an OZONE ALERT, the local news media will broadcast it. DEQ will notify the Ozone Action Participants and the steps above should be followed. If a person is sensitive to ozone, outdoor activities should be limited. The health risk from ozone is greater to those with heart or lung disease, children and the elderly. During ozone season, you can keep informed about the air quality in certain regions of the state by calling the DEQ Air Quality Hotline at 225-765- 2660 or by logging on to the DEQ website at www.deq.state.la.us/evaluation/ozone for links to much more information and websites. You can get daily ozone forecasts at www.deq.state.la.us/evaluation/ozone/ oz_today.asp. When you see this poster Stop! Read!! Act!!!
DEQ Hosts First Joint Workshop on Master Farmer Program The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is one of several entities working in conjunction with the Master Farmer Program in Louisiana. The Master Farmer Program is a cooperative effort aimed at demonstrating that agricultural producers can, and will voluntarily reduce the impact that agricultural production has on our state’s environment, especially our surface waters. Jan Boydstun, Supervisor of the DEQ Nonpoint Source Program and her staff were responsible for organizing the first joint workshop to be held on the subject. Environmental concerns, the increasing demand for agricultural producers in Louisiana to be more proficient in production, and the need for farm management/marketing practices to remain economically viable, led to the multi-agency effort to develop the Master Farmer Program. The joint workshop provided an opportunity for DEQ employees of all levels, EPA officials and others present to learn more about the goals of the Master Farmer Program. Speakers included several state agency officials and Louisiana farmers. The oral presentations served to underscore the environmental benefits provided by the Master Farmer Program and the surmounting challenges confronting the agricultural industry in Louisiana. The Master Farmer Program cooperative effort is led by the Louisiana State University AgCenter and sponsored by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF). In addition to DEQ, there are other agencies collaborating in the partnership to address the impact of agriculture on water quality degradation. These agencies include the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association (LCA), and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (DAF). Public concern over the effects of agriculture and forestry production practices on environmental quality has grown in recent years. Under section 303 (d) of the Clean Water Act, all states are required to develop a list of their impaired waterbodies. This Act also requires all states to establish priority rankings for waters on the 303 (d) list and develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for these waters, based on their individual priority rankings. A TMDL is the maximum amount of pollution (from both point and nonpoint sources) that can be released into a waterbody before causing the waterbody to become impaired and/or violate state water quality standards. Louisiana has over 340 impaired stream segments on the 303 (d) list. The term “impaired” refers to waters that do not meet established standards for oxygen, fecal coliform and metals. A large attendance at the workshop provided many an opportunity to learn more about the Master Farmer Program. Jan Boydstun, Supervisor of the Nonpoint Source Program, one of the organizers of the Master Farmer Program. The Master Farmer Program also endeavors to help agricultural producers address environmental stewardship through voluntary, effective and economically achievable Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are practices used by agricultural producers to reduce the generation and delivery of agricultural related pollutants into the air or waters. Agricultural BMPs focus on four main areas: nutrient management, pesticide management, soil and water management, and general farm BMPs. Each BMP is a culmination of years of research and demonstrations conducted by agricultural research scientists, soil engineers and agricultural producers. BMPs are conservation practice standards and specifications published in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Field Office Technical Guide, which is routinely updated and expanded. Carrie Castille, LSU Extension Associate of Environmental Programs, presented LSU’s perspective on the Master Farmer Program. During her presentation, Ms. Castille talked about the three main components of the Master Farmer Program. These are: Environmental Stewardship, Agricultural Production and Farm Management (Economics). Providing specifics, Ms. Castille discussed the three phases of Environmental Stewardship. Phase I focuses on environmental education and commodity specific BMPs and their implementation. Phase II includes on-the-field viewing of implemented BMPs on “Model Farms.” Model farms are those where farmers are able to observe documented effectiveness of BMPs in minimizing agricultural impact on water quality. Phase III involves the development and implementation of farm-specific, comprehensive conservation plans by the Master Farmer participants. This includes the selection and application of farm-specific BMPs on the whole farm operation. Master Farmer Program members must participate in all three phases of the environmental stewardship component to attain Master Farmer- Environmental Stewardship status. In addition to being a presenter, Ms. Castille also assisted in the coordination of the joint workshop. Another featured speaker at the workshop was Ernest Girouard, a Louisiana rice grower and Chairman of the Vermillion Soil and Water Conservation District. During his presentation, Mr. Girouard Jess Bahr, Executive VicePresident Cotton Grower's Association and a Louisiana cotton grower points out the benefits of the Master Farmer Program during his presentation. stated, “this program is an excellent opportunity to turn our resource problems into resource opportunities by solving concerns and working together.” Other speakers included Dr. Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter Vice-Chancellor; Linda Zaunbrecher, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation 3rd Vice- President and Louisiana rice producer; Howard Cormier, LSU AgCenter county agent for Vermillion parish and Louisiana rice grower; Steve Linscombe, LSU AgCenter rice researcher and Southwest region director; Jess Bahr, Executive Vice- President Cotton Grower’s Association and Louisiana cotton grower; Matt Stephens, Union parish county agent; Bob Felknor, Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Executive Secretary-Treasurer; and Charles “Buck” Vandersteen, Executive Director of the Louisiana Forestry Association. Jim Delahoussaye, Environmental Scientist with DEQ, asked several questions of the Master Farmer speakers. Mr. Delahoussaye is manager of DEQ’s Level 2 Industrial Units but will soon oversee municipal water permits and share responsibility for minor source water permits. After hearing the presentations, Mr. Delahoussaye said, “ I am very impressed with the Master Farmer Program, and I applaud the LSU AgCenter’s involvement with it. Through the years, I have become familiar with DEQ’s Nonpoint Source Program and the efforts it has made to bring disparate factions together to work out solutions to problems the groups may have in common. No better example of this exists than that of the agricultural community and DEQ. The agency has the responsibility to address all potential sources of pollution to waters of the state. Pointing out the problems does not solve them, but recognition can suggest solutions. DEQ’s Nonpoint Source Program has made communication possible between agriculture and the agency, and solutions are being worked out.” Delahoussaye went on to state, “it was gratifying to see each of the major agricultural groups become partners in a cleaner environment by employing Best Management Practices.” For more information about the program, registration forms, scheduled meetings, and related topics visit the website at www.agctr.lsu.edu/master farmer. For additional information about the Master Farmer Program meetings contact Dr. Fred Sanders, LSU AgCenter at (225) 578-6998 or Jan Boydstun, DEQ at (225) 765-0246. Page 5
Page 1 and 2: Winter 2003 Vol 3, No. 1 UPDATE In
Page 3: Debate and Delivery The Story Behin
Page 7 and 8: A Day in the Life… The atmosphere
Page 9 and 10: James Hazlett, DEQ Environmental Sc
Page 11 and 12: DEQ Enforcement Activity (continued
Page 13 and 14: DEQ Permit Activity (continued) Dat
Page 15 and 16: DEQ Named One of “Elite Eight”

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